InVEST is a family of modeling tools that map, measure and value the goods and services we obtain from nature. Nature supports human health, livelihoods and economies in countless ways: ecosystems store carbon to slow climate change, purify and regulate water supplies, and provide foods, medicines and opportunities for spiritual and cultural experiences. Despite their importance, these ecosystem services are not normally included in resource decisions, often because practical, credible information about them is lacking or inaccessible. InVEST enables decision-makers to assess the trade-offs associated with alternative policy options, and to identify areas where investment in ecosystem services can enhance human development and conservation of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.

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